Sparked Salon

The Hivery and Sparked come together to create a salon-style evening evening of inspiration, connection and empowerment. This time, we're featuring Helen Russell of Equator Coffee and Gibson Thomas of Edible Marin- interviewed by Sparked Founder, Lisa Rueff. You’ll get an opportunity to hear from these dynamic women what lights them up, how they handle challenges, what inspires them, and what they’ve learned along the way.

The salon is an evening dedicated to the celebration of women connecting, and the magic that happens when women gather. In addition to cocktails, light bites, and an opportunity to experience the fun of the Sparked Board Game, you’ll also get to learn from other inspiring women in the beautiful surroundings of The Hivery.

About the Speakers:

Helen Russell

Helen Russell is the co-founder and CEO of Equator Coffee and Teas, Inc. in Marin County, CA. Under her leadership for more than 20 years, Equator has grown from a small roaster and wholesale supplier into a national brand known for its values-driven approach, award-winning coffee and impactful action around issues of environmental sustainability and economic empowerment. Helen led Equator to become the first coffee roaster in California to earn Certified B Corporation status and a reputation as an early champion Fair Trade practices and direct relationships. For 12 years in a row, Equator has remained on The San Francisco Business Times’ list of the Top 100 Women-Owned Businesses, and in 2016, became the first LGBT Certified business to win SBA Small Business of the Year for the State of California. After two decades in the wholesale business, Helen guided Equator towards deepening its relationships with the local community by opening five retail locations in the Bay Area. https://www.equatorcoffees.com

Gibson Thomas

A “recovering attorney,” Gibson founded Edible Marin & Wine Country in 2009. This quarterly print and digital magazine tells the stories of the extraordinary farmers, ranchers, cheesemakers, distillers, winemakers, chefs and other artisan food and drink makers in Marin, Napa and Sonoma counties. Gibson was the leader of the Marin County (CA) convivium of Slow Food for eight years before she founded Edible Marin & Wine Country magazine, the story on local, seasonal food and drink in Marin, Napa and Sonoma counties. Gibson grew up in the South, and feels blessed to be living and raising her son in Northern California - surrounded by so many incredible farmers, food artisans, amazing chefs and discerning consumers who appreciate and support all the local goodness in our community.

Lisa Rueff

Lisa has accomplished more in the last 5 years than most people do in a lifetime. She is the Founder of Sparked, the revolutionary new board game with inspiration, heart and hilarity. She has built the Jacmel Children Center, a 12,000 square foot orphanage and school in Haiti, with 27 children living there between the ages of 3-10 years old. She leads international humanitarian retreats and helps people discover their joys of philanthropy through hands-on giving. She was the Executive Director of the Do it For The Love Foundation, a wish-granting music foundation for people with life threatening illnesses. More than anything, Lisa loves empowering people to follow their passions and reach for their highest potential.